My resolution in 2011 was to visit one new place each week. I actually did okay for awhile, but then I stopped keeping track and pushing myself to keep it up. There were a couple places I planned a dozen times to visit, but never did (notably the State Capitol)
Some things I did accomplish:
Went to the Super Bowl with my mom in February.
Met some Wild players and got a bunch of autographs.
Traveled to Vancouver.
Visited three new NHL rinks (Vancouver, Chicago, and Pittsburgh).
Started playing goalie.
Survived a summer at home with my parents, but barely.
Got a long-term'ish job in Minnesota. Long term as in, it's the first job I've had without a specific end date, though it's not really a "real" job.
Adopted my cat.
Went to a one-day conference on my favorite topic of all time.
Kept up with this blog fairly well!
In terms of who I am and figuring out what I want in life, it was kind of a stagnant year. I was happy for most of it, though, content with day to day life. I think some of the biggest things for me were this fall, when I returned to Minnesota and adopted Puck, got my Minnesota license and registered my car here. I made a declaration that I was gonna stay here for awhile. Who knows if that'll pan out or not...
Showing posts with label minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minnesota. Show all posts
Sunday, January 1, 2012
And a happy new year...
I think I've only ever spent New Year's Eve at my parents' house in Pittsburgh. It was fun as a kid, and then there were a couple years when it was like "okay, it's midnight, and I'll be up for another three hours..."
Anyway, I wasn't really planning on doing anything because I worked all yesterday and I had to work all today. But I texted my best friend Kirstine--she's always good for last minute plans. I went over to her place and her boyfriend Mike and his friend made dinner for all of us, we watched a movie and played with cats.
Then we went outside to a little frozen pond in a shallow in the woods (and when I say "pond" I mean "body of water outside and bigger than a bathtub but not by much"), cleared off a piece of it (partly with our sticks) and played boot hockey to ring in the new year. Half of the pond was underwater (it had been raining) so we used the part that had gotten snow when the rain turned to snow, and by the time we were done, our rink was more water than ice, too, because it warmed back up a bit.
I really wanted my camera, but it was too wet so I took one cell phone picture to commemorate.
It was dark except for the snow, it was warm at around freezing, it was good friends and a good spirit of competition and fun. It was the most Minnesotan thing I've ever done, ever. Possibly the most Minnesota experience there is.
We were trying to make it to the new year, but couldn't stick it out any longer and went back inside. Someone looked at the clock and it was 12:02, so we all said "Happy New Year", decided to say we were playing hockey to ring it in, and then I went home and everyone went to bed because we're old now.
Hopefully within the next couple days, I'll get a chance to write about the past year and the year ahead, but for now, I am quite content with the time in between. :)
Anyway, I wasn't really planning on doing anything because I worked all yesterday and I had to work all today. But I texted my best friend Kirstine--she's always good for last minute plans. I went over to her place and her boyfriend Mike and his friend made dinner for all of us, we watched a movie and played with cats.
Then we went outside to a little frozen pond in a shallow in the woods (and when I say "pond" I mean "body of water outside and bigger than a bathtub but not by much"), cleared off a piece of it (partly with our sticks) and played boot hockey to ring in the new year. Half of the pond was underwater (it had been raining) so we used the part that had gotten snow when the rain turned to snow, and by the time we were done, our rink was more water than ice, too, because it warmed back up a bit.
I really wanted my camera, but it was too wet so I took one cell phone picture to commemorate.
It was dark except for the snow, it was warm at around freezing, it was good friends and a good spirit of competition and fun. It was the most Minnesotan thing I've ever done, ever. Possibly the most Minnesota experience there is.
We were trying to make it to the new year, but couldn't stick it out any longer and went back inside. Someone looked at the clock and it was 12:02, so we all said "Happy New Year", decided to say we were playing hockey to ring it in, and then I went home and everyone went to bed because we're old now.
Hopefully within the next couple days, I'll get a chance to write about the past year and the year ahead, but for now, I am quite content with the time in between. :)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Things that mark me as a "foreigner"
....and it's okay.
I spend a lot of time assimilating to Minnesota. There are some things I didn't get at first but now love and defend/accept as fiercely as any native--hockey, snow, flatness, the Twin Cities (they really are two separate places). And so on. There are some things I don't get or didn't get to participate in and feel sad about--like the Great Halloween Blizzard of '91 that everyone talks about constantly. Or things I missed growing up, like skating on frozen ponds until dinner and going back out after (if people actually did that, idk). And knee hockey (which one of my coworkers constantly remembers fondly).
There are some things, however, that I still don't get, and am somewhat proud to not get. Things that mark me as an outsider, things I'll always treat like "whatever Minnsotans."
Here's a couple...
1. Lefse.
It's this Scandinavian holiday treat that is a thin "crepe" rolled up with butter and brown sugar. The "crepe" is made out of potato and flour and the whole thing tastes like a buttered, sugared cotton ball. I have no clue why this food causes ecstasy among all my friends. It's disgusting.
2. Minnesota sports. (except the Wild)
I really enjoy being from Pittsburgh whenever sports come up. Pittsburgh is insanely successful. Being a Minnesota sports fan is a horrible fate filled with disappointment and more disappointment. Suckas.
I also find it strange and disconcerting that the teams don't have the same colors. What?
3. Rut beer.
No picture because I have no clue what rut beer is. You guys mean root beer? True story: one time I took this canoe class and my professor was all "we're gonna go play rut beer ball" and I was like "rut beer ball? I wonder what kind of wild game that is." and we got to the spot and he whips out a cooler with root beer and the lightbulb went on and I was like "OH he means ROOT beer ball." It'd be better with alcohol, but basically you play kickball with an open can of ROOT beer.
I really thought he was taking about ruts though.
4. Hot dish.
I don't even know what to say, except the word "hot dish" freaks me out so much. You basically take all the leftovers in the fridge and throw them in a casserole dish (or a hot dish dish I suppose) and then eat it. And I have never met a hot dish I liked.
5. Bars.
Bars are the dessert cousin of hot dish. I do like bars, though I still find the word use very odd.
6. Duck, duck, gray duck.
(picture showing how the game is MEANT to be played)
Clearly the proper terms are "duck, duck, goose." I heard some children at a school learning this game one day, and it took all my willpower not to bust into the room and shout "IT'S DUCK DUCK GOOSE!!!!!!!!!" Because it is. I mean, how do you know the first two ducks aren't gray??
I'm sure there are more, but those are some things that make me grit my teeth when they come up.
I spend a lot of time assimilating to Minnesota. There are some things I didn't get at first but now love and defend/accept as fiercely as any native--hockey, snow, flatness, the Twin Cities (they really are two separate places). And so on. There are some things I don't get or didn't get to participate in and feel sad about--like the Great Halloween Blizzard of '91 that everyone talks about constantly. Or things I missed growing up, like skating on frozen ponds until dinner and going back out after (if people actually did that, idk). And knee hockey (which one of my coworkers constantly remembers fondly).
There are some things, however, that I still don't get, and am somewhat proud to not get. Things that mark me as an outsider, things I'll always treat like "whatever Minnsotans."
Here's a couple...
1. Lefse.
It's this Scandinavian holiday treat that is a thin "crepe" rolled up with butter and brown sugar. The "crepe" is made out of potato and flour and the whole thing tastes like a buttered, sugared cotton ball. I have no clue why this food causes ecstasy among all my friends. It's disgusting.
2. Minnesota sports. (except the Wild)
I really enjoy being from Pittsburgh whenever sports come up. Pittsburgh is insanely successful. Being a Minnesota sports fan is a horrible fate filled with disappointment and more disappointment. Suckas.
I also find it strange and disconcerting that the teams don't have the same colors. What?
3. Rut beer.
No picture because I have no clue what rut beer is. You guys mean root beer? True story: one time I took this canoe class and my professor was all "we're gonna go play rut beer ball" and I was like "rut beer ball? I wonder what kind of wild game that is." and we got to the spot and he whips out a cooler with root beer and the lightbulb went on and I was like "OH he means ROOT beer ball." It'd be better with alcohol, but basically you play kickball with an open can of ROOT beer.
I really thought he was taking about ruts though.
4. Hot dish.
I don't even know what to say, except the word "hot dish" freaks me out so much. You basically take all the leftovers in the fridge and throw them in a casserole dish (or a hot dish dish I suppose) and then eat it. And I have never met a hot dish I liked.
5. Bars.
Bars are the dessert cousin of hot dish. I do like bars, though I still find the word use very odd.
6. Duck, duck, gray duck.
(picture showing how the game is MEANT to be played)
Clearly the proper terms are "duck, duck, goose." I heard some children at a school learning this game one day, and it took all my willpower not to bust into the room and shout "IT'S DUCK DUCK GOOSE!!!!!!!!!" Because it is. I mean, how do you know the first two ducks aren't gray??
I'm sure there are more, but those are some things that make me grit my teeth when they come up.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Reasons I Don't Want to Leave Minnesota (28/30)
I've never lived somewhere like Michigan or Massachusetts, supposedly other hotbeds of hockey. I've never experienced Canadian hockey madness. So maybe there are other places out there like this.
But it's hard to believe.
Let's Play Hockey, in the back, is a weekly newspaper--that churns out 42 pages of hockey news, hockey ads, and hockey stats almost exclusively from Minnesota. And it's mostly amateur hockey, this issue's cover not withstanding.
The bottom was an addition this week: Atlas of Minnesota rinks. There are 16 pages with about 13 rinks per page, equals about 200 rinks. And these are just INDOOR rinks, never mind that every pond in the state gets skated on once it freezes (that's a slight exaggeration since there are so many lakes here but) and many communities put them up in parks, etc.
Anyway, I play on two teams and I'm on enough hockey mailing lists that I get between 2-3 emails per week telling me about hockey opportunities--most of those are exclusively for WOMEN. Yesterday I got on the ice twice, once in the morning with a teammate on her lunchbreak and then in the evening, a women's 3 on 3 pickup game for which I tended goal. Tonight I have practice, Friday a game, and Sunday TWO games.
Find me another place where such things are not just not unusual, not just normal, but somewhat expected and maybe I'll think about moving. Maybe.
But it's hard to believe.
Let's Play Hockey, in the back, is a weekly newspaper--that churns out 42 pages of hockey news, hockey ads, and hockey stats almost exclusively from Minnesota. And it's mostly amateur hockey, this issue's cover not withstanding.
The bottom was an addition this week: Atlas of Minnesota rinks. There are 16 pages with about 13 rinks per page, equals about 200 rinks. And these are just INDOOR rinks, never mind that every pond in the state gets skated on once it freezes (that's a slight exaggeration since there are so many lakes here but) and many communities put them up in parks, etc.
Anyway, I play on two teams and I'm on enough hockey mailing lists that I get between 2-3 emails per week telling me about hockey opportunities--most of those are exclusively for WOMEN. Yesterday I got on the ice twice, once in the morning with a teammate on her lunchbreak and then in the evening, a women's 3 on 3 pickup game for which I tended goal. Tonight I have practice, Friday a game, and Sunday TWO games.
Find me another place where such things are not just not unusual, not just normal, but somewhat expected and maybe I'll think about moving. Maybe.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A lovely night and a memory (17/30)
I went out walking in my neighborhood last night about 10pm. I loved my quiet still neighborhood covered in a magical layer of snow.
I'm so in love with alleys. This is my own.
I had this flashback to the time I felt in love with Minnesota for the first time, though I didn't know it at the time.
The alley that continues from mine.
It was the first winter I spent in Minnesota. In January, my school offers one class for the month, usually something fun. I signed up for a class the took me into Minneapolis for two weeks.
House on the corner.
During most of the time, we stayed at a hostel-type place. But on the middle weekend, we were with host families.
Another angle. I love this house.
For some reason, their neighborhood blanketed in snow seemed so picturesque and cozy and has always stuck in my mind. Now it seems like the first time, not just that I *could* fall in love with Minnesota, which was a long time coming, but that I already had.
Summit Ave.
I also remember from that same winter, on campus, a day that was a cold but bright sunny blue sky day and I thought to myself "This is how campus looked the first time I saw it."
Antique shop across the street.
It took me a moment to remember that no, I actually saw it literally for the first time in the height of summer. But in my mind, my eternal mental picture of it is a beautiful clear winter's day.
The other window display.
Minnesota just looks better in the snow. I was thinking last week sometime that the houses are kinda ugly here. Lots of clapboard and strange colors and, eh, I just didn't like them.
So glad the red door showed up so well.
But tonight, with the snow on them, I fell in love with Minnesota for the thousandth time.
Keep people out or in??
Minnesota looks better in the snow.
Granted, this street is famous for pretty houses Wikipedia link but.
It's like it was made for it, or something.
I'm so in love with alleys. This is my own.
I had this flashback to the time I felt in love with Minnesota for the first time, though I didn't know it at the time.
The alley that continues from mine.
It was the first winter I spent in Minnesota. In January, my school offers one class for the month, usually something fun. I signed up for a class the took me into Minneapolis for two weeks.
House on the corner.
During most of the time, we stayed at a hostel-type place. But on the middle weekend, we were with host families.
Another angle. I love this house.
For some reason, their neighborhood blanketed in snow seemed so picturesque and cozy and has always stuck in my mind. Now it seems like the first time, not just that I *could* fall in love with Minnesota, which was a long time coming, but that I already had.
Summit Ave.
I also remember from that same winter, on campus, a day that was a cold but bright sunny blue sky day and I thought to myself "This is how campus looked the first time I saw it."
Antique shop across the street.
It took me a moment to remember that no, I actually saw it literally for the first time in the height of summer. But in my mind, my eternal mental picture of it is a beautiful clear winter's day.
The other window display.
Minnesota just looks better in the snow. I was thinking last week sometime that the houses are kinda ugly here. Lots of clapboard and strange colors and, eh, I just didn't like them.
So glad the red door showed up so well.
But tonight, with the snow on them, I fell in love with Minnesota for the thousandth time.
Keep people out or in??
Minnesota looks better in the snow.
Granted, this street is famous for pretty houses Wikipedia link but.
It's like it was made for it, or something.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
First snow! (16/30)
Unfortunately, I had a game at 1:50, aka prime snowing time. Snow didn't bother me at all with my last car because it went awesome with its snow tires, but this car without snow tires was terrifying. I just went super slow and didn't have a close call so that's good I guess.
So I get to the rink, and there's a bunch of players from the other team standing around in the lobby because APPARENTLY our ice time was actually at 4:30 and our team manager messed up SO it's not even that I risked life and limb for a hockey game, but I risked it for NOTHING.
ARRRRRRRRRUGH. Didn't take any pictures but this one during the daylight because I was too busy before the journey and too annoyed after.
And here's Puck enjoying the snow day the right way:
I don't think she's even noticed it was snowing. Lucky feline.
So I get to the rink, and there's a bunch of players from the other team standing around in the lobby because APPARENTLY our ice time was actually at 4:30 and our team manager messed up SO it's not even that I risked life and limb for a hockey game, but I risked it for NOTHING.
ARRRRRRRRRUGH. Didn't take any pictures but this one during the daylight because I was too busy before the journey and too annoyed after.
And here's Puck enjoying the snow day the right way:
I don't think she's even noticed it was snowing. Lucky feline.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Fall. (10/30)
an image from my lovely half mile walk from and then to the auto repair shop for an oil change.
We have had the most gorgeous fall here in Minnesota. Usually it's a blink or you'll miss it thing, one day it's 70 and the next it's snowing, one day the leaves are green and then they're blown off before they even have a chance to change. This year, we have had so many different colors, basically a new type of tree/bush has exploded with vivid brightness each week, and then they leisurely make their way down to the ground to fill the ground with color and a lovely crunch-crunch--no slogging because we've had very little rain and no snow at all.
I wish I'd taken more pictures because it's truly been incredible.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Ten Things I Really Miss about College
My friend Kirstine and I visited our alma mater today. It was difficult. I wanted to be back there so badly! Campus was gorgeous, it was a prefect fall day, the campus was lively and bustling. We saw our favorite professor and the newest building on campus, and neither of us wanted to leave. It was a weird ache, though. Like nostalgia, more than wanting it to exist right now. The place was perfectly familiar, but still not quite mine. And I know I can't go back--it's so fruitless to want to.
Kirstine and I tried to come up with things that are better about not being in college, and barely came up with anything at all. Here are the things I miss most about college, but tomorrow I promise I'll come up with as many things that are better about being out.
In no particular order....
10. Writing papers. Starting papers when they are due in 12 hours.
9. Having stimulating class discussions.
8. Reading great nonfiction, books and articles--and procrastinating/skimming/ignoring the crappy stuff.
7. Speaking Spanish almost daily, same for reading, writing, listening on a regular basis.
6. Having meals ready for me. Do I miss the food itself? Not really but you have to admit it was convenient.
5. Connecting with professors. I always really enjoyed talking to profs (about life or school or whatever) and I miss that, their wisdom and perspective and knowing they cared about me.
4. My job at the writing place. By my senior year, I was GOOD at editing other people's papers, and I loved it.
3. Not having chores. I HATE washing dishes the most.
2. No bills or paying for groceries, fewer tanks of gas.
1. Walking around campus. It was one of those things I liked complaining about at the time, but in truth, it felt good to be outside in the fresh air and get that exercise on a regular basis. Plus, campus is gorgeous. Yes, even when it was negative 10 or super windy--hint: ALWAYS windy!!
picture not from today, but accurately beautiful.
Kirstine and I tried to come up with things that are better about not being in college, and barely came up with anything at all. Here are the things I miss most about college, but tomorrow I promise I'll come up with as many things that are better about being out.
In no particular order....
10. Writing papers. Starting papers when they are due in 12 hours.
9. Having stimulating class discussions.
8. Reading great nonfiction, books and articles--and procrastinating/skimming/ignoring the crappy stuff.
7. Speaking Spanish almost daily, same for reading, writing, listening on a regular basis.
6. Having meals ready for me. Do I miss the food itself? Not really but you have to admit it was convenient.
5. Connecting with professors. I always really enjoyed talking to profs (about life or school or whatever) and I miss that, their wisdom and perspective and knowing they cared about me.
4. My job at the writing place. By my senior year, I was GOOD at editing other people's papers, and I loved it.
3. Not having chores. I HATE washing dishes the most.
2. No bills or paying for groceries, fewer tanks of gas.
1. Walking around campus. It was one of those things I liked complaining about at the time, but in truth, it felt good to be outside in the fresh air and get that exercise on a regular basis. Plus, campus is gorgeous. Yes, even when it was negative 10 or super windy--hint: ALWAYS windy!!
picture not from today, but accurately beautiful.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
My Team Came to me Last Night!!!
(some of these pictures look kinda grainy, idk...click for high quality)
I got downtown early so I could walk around a bit and take photos of my adopted city. It was an overcast day, which is rare for here--welcoming the Penguins to town by acting Pittsburgh'y.
A view up Kellogg towards St Paul Cathedral.
The famous Mickey's Diner.
Looking up the Mississippi towards Minneapolis.
Love these banners. And love that they say "hockey fans" not "Wild fans"
Landmark Center, the most beautiful building in St Paul.
F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Landmark Center close up.
Triumphant Herbie. Maybe my favorite part of St Paul. Tucked in a little corner, the backdoor entrance to the convention center, the opposite end from the arena. Just perfect.
We got these ridiculous hats for a giveaway. I was praying someone (on either team!) would get a hat trick so I could get rid of it (and because I've never seen a hatty!), but it was not to be.
I have been DREAMING about mini corn dogs since I was a child and they used to have them at the Monroeville Mall. I have no clue if they've always had them at Wild games--to be honest, I usually don't eat at arenas because it's expensive and not usually good, but I figured I'd treat myself this night. Plus I'm usually on the upper level where there are less food choices. ANYWAY I love this stuff! They weren't perfect, but they were pretty good. I also had some decent hot chocolate.
Then the warmups finally started. I almost started crying when the Penguins came out, I was just so happy to see them! Even though we were missing Sid and Geno and Tanger and Orpik and Jeffrey, and Fleury wasn't starting....it didn't matter. I'd love anyone in a Penguins jersey.
Jordan. I got a ton of photos of him.
Chris Kunitz. I almost named my cat Kunitz after him. Sometimes I still think she's a Kunitz.
This is Cookie, being a troll.
Cookie went over and stood in front of Fleury, who promptly punched him in the head a couple times, playfully. It made me actually giggle.
I was so glad that even with all the crap going on--the awful loss in Winnipeg the night before, a ton of games in a couple nights, missing half the team ONCE AGAIN etc--the team was goofing off and loose and light-hearted. That is one of the things that amazes me again and again about this team. They refuse to see themselves as victims and they refuse to get down about anything, and their spirit goes a long, long way.
James Neal, Fleury, and Staal stayed on the ice longer than anyone.
After the buzzer went off, when everyone else had left, they weren't even really practicing, they were just goofing off, having fun. Fleury wasn't even starting.
They reminded me of kids who need to be called in to supper. Again, I just love their attitudes.
Got to my seat, and the game started.
I had great seats!
Here's the National Anthem.
A photo from the game.
The end, celebrating. They won 4-2 and it was just an amazing game. I was so proud of them for coming out hard and playing hard and pulling out a fantastic win.
I'll have to head back to the X sometime to actually enjoy the Wild, but for this night, I was more than happy to represent as a Pittsburgher away from home.
I got downtown early so I could walk around a bit and take photos of my adopted city. It was an overcast day, which is rare for here--welcoming the Penguins to town by acting Pittsburgh'y.
A view up Kellogg towards St Paul Cathedral.
The famous Mickey's Diner.
Looking up the Mississippi towards Minneapolis.
Love these banners. And love that they say "hockey fans" not "Wild fans"
Landmark Center, the most beautiful building in St Paul.
F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Landmark Center close up.
Triumphant Herbie. Maybe my favorite part of St Paul. Tucked in a little corner, the backdoor entrance to the convention center, the opposite end from the arena. Just perfect.
We got these ridiculous hats for a giveaway. I was praying someone (on either team!) would get a hat trick so I could get rid of it (and because I've never seen a hatty!), but it was not to be.
I have been DREAMING about mini corn dogs since I was a child and they used to have them at the Monroeville Mall. I have no clue if they've always had them at Wild games--to be honest, I usually don't eat at arenas because it's expensive and not usually good, but I figured I'd treat myself this night. Plus I'm usually on the upper level where there are less food choices. ANYWAY I love this stuff! They weren't perfect, but they were pretty good. I also had some decent hot chocolate.
Then the warmups finally started. I almost started crying when the Penguins came out, I was just so happy to see them! Even though we were missing Sid and Geno and Tanger and Orpik and Jeffrey, and Fleury wasn't starting....it didn't matter. I'd love anyone in a Penguins jersey.
Jordan. I got a ton of photos of him.
Chris Kunitz. I almost named my cat Kunitz after him. Sometimes I still think she's a Kunitz.
This is Cookie, being a troll.
Cookie went over and stood in front of Fleury, who promptly punched him in the head a couple times, playfully. It made me actually giggle.
I was so glad that even with all the crap going on--the awful loss in Winnipeg the night before, a ton of games in a couple nights, missing half the team ONCE AGAIN etc--the team was goofing off and loose and light-hearted. That is one of the things that amazes me again and again about this team. They refuse to see themselves as victims and they refuse to get down about anything, and their spirit goes a long, long way.
James Neal, Fleury, and Staal stayed on the ice longer than anyone.
After the buzzer went off, when everyone else had left, they weren't even really practicing, they were just goofing off, having fun. Fleury wasn't even starting.
They reminded me of kids who need to be called in to supper. Again, I just love their attitudes.
Got to my seat, and the game started.
I had great seats!
Here's the National Anthem.
A photo from the game.
The end, celebrating. They won 4-2 and it was just an amazing game. I was so proud of them for coming out hard and playing hard and pulling out a fantastic win.
I'll have to head back to the X sometime to actually enjoy the Wild, but for this night, I was more than happy to represent as a Pittsburgher away from home.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
A great day with a great friend!
I really don't get out and enjoy Minnesota as much as I should/want to. There are so many pretty spots, and there are still tons of places I haven't been. Little hidden things that I wouldn't expect.
Today we went to Fort Snelling State Park.
View Fort Snelling State Park in a larger map
I would really like to visit Fort Snelling itself one day, but it's only open on Saturdays in Sept/Oct (and more in the summer) and I just haven't made it. The park, however, is open year round and would probably be excellent for skiing and stuff in winter. The park stretches to the south in the Minnesota river valley. There is an island called Pike Island which is where the blue marker is on the map and where we went today.
The Highway 5 bridge. I cross this thing all the time: airport, Mall of America, some ice rinks, etc etc. We walked right over it above a tunnel--you can't tell at all from the top that you're over a highway.
One of the buildings at Fort Snelling (where we started the day).
Totally need to go back when I can go in this stuff!
I believe this is the highway 55 bridge--from where you have an amazing view of both downtowns, St Paul and Minneapolis. I really want to walk across it someday but we went about four miles already today so it wasn't gonna be on this trip. Now I know how to get there!
Kara looking adorable, on the bridge to cross over to Pike Island.
~Historical marker~
We were walking through woods like these for a long time.
Then we came out along the Minnesota river, which we walked along for awhile.
Until we got to the spot where the Minnesota (right) and the mighty Mississippi (left) meet. Nice little confluence (zing!).
Looking back up the Minnesota.
And up the Mississippi.
We saw several deer on the island.
Then we went for dinner. We visited the Groveland Tap because they had....
Poutine!! Poutine is a Canadian food (Quebecois originally) which is fries with gravy and cheese curds. This poutine had beef and veggies on it--it was delicious even though I wasn't expecting the extra stuff. We also split a bacon cheeseburger which was amazing as well.
Then we traveled to this place called Shish on Grand--I will definitely go back someday for real food because they had a million delicious things listed.
We had this turtle cheesecake--the part with caramel was DELICIOUS but I wish the caramel had continued under the nuts :(
All in all, a great Minnesota Sunday. <3
Today we went to Fort Snelling State Park.
View Fort Snelling State Park in a larger map
I would really like to visit Fort Snelling itself one day, but it's only open on Saturdays in Sept/Oct (and more in the summer) and I just haven't made it. The park, however, is open year round and would probably be excellent for skiing and stuff in winter. The park stretches to the south in the Minnesota river valley. There is an island called Pike Island which is where the blue marker is on the map and where we went today.
The Highway 5 bridge. I cross this thing all the time: airport, Mall of America, some ice rinks, etc etc. We walked right over it above a tunnel--you can't tell at all from the top that you're over a highway.
One of the buildings at Fort Snelling (where we started the day).
Totally need to go back when I can go in this stuff!
I believe this is the highway 55 bridge--from where you have an amazing view of both downtowns, St Paul and Minneapolis. I really want to walk across it someday but we went about four miles already today so it wasn't gonna be on this trip. Now I know how to get there!
Kara looking adorable, on the bridge to cross over to Pike Island.
~Historical marker~
We were walking through woods like these for a long time.
Then we came out along the Minnesota river, which we walked along for awhile.
Until we got to the spot where the Minnesota (right) and the mighty Mississippi (left) meet. Nice little confluence (zing!).
Looking back up the Minnesota.
And up the Mississippi.
We saw several deer on the island.
Then we went for dinner. We visited the Groveland Tap because they had....
Poutine!! Poutine is a Canadian food (Quebecois originally) which is fries with gravy and cheese curds. This poutine had beef and veggies on it--it was delicious even though I wasn't expecting the extra stuff. We also split a bacon cheeseburger which was amazing as well.
Then we traveled to this place called Shish on Grand--I will definitely go back someday for real food because they had a million delicious things listed.
We had this turtle cheesecake--the part with caramel was DELICIOUS but I wish the caramel had continued under the nuts :(
All in all, a great Minnesota Sunday. <3
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